In Touch - October 24, 2005

Waiting is one of the most difficult disciplines Christians are called to practice. This is especially true when a heart’s desire is within reach and we are sure that God is about to bless us. But He always has a clear reason for asking us to wait, even when we cannot discern His motive for months or even years. Although difficult, waiting is essential to living a successful Christian life of obedience and reaped blessing.

One of the main reasons believers step out of God’s will — and consequently out of fellowship with Him—is overeagerness to act on their own, without first receiving divine guidance. Too often, we make this mistake while trying to do something we believe will bring pleasure to the Lord. But we please our Father by following the Bible’s frequent exhortations to wait.

It is possible, however, for us to confuse waiting with idleness. Pausing for further instructions from God requires a determined stillness — a decision not to act until He provides clear direction. His plan for our life requires no guesswork on our part; He will give instructions when the time is right, so we must be in prayer and in the Word if we are to receive His directives. God works in this way because His plans are interconnected: what we do affects others as well as ourselves, both now and in the future.

Waiting is hard. We don’t want to stand still when our natural inclination says, “Grasp the prize before it slips away!” But wise believers wait until they have heard from God. Only then can we step out with confidence that we are walking in His will.

About In Touch Ministries

At In Touch Ministries, our mission is to lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church.

About Charles F. Stanley

Charles F. Stanley is the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. While his teaching is transmitted throughout the world to millions of people, Dr. Stanley continues to demonstrate a practical, keen awareness of people’s needs and provide Christ-centered, biblically-based principles for everyday life.

Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.”